Selenium Reduces the risk of Cancer

April 23, 2003

Clark ,LC

ABSTRACT:The present study is the first randomized, double-blind prevention

trial to test the specific hypothesis that a supplement of the essential

nutrient selenium can reduce the risk of cancer.

METHODS: The trial randomized at total of 1,312 patient with histories of

basal cell of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin to either a daily oral

supplement of 200 µg selenium, or a placebo. They where followed with

regular semi-annual dermatologic examinations and annual vital status for a

total of 8,269 person-years of observation (x=7.0 years).

RESULTS: No cases of selenium toxicity occured. Selenium treatment did not

affect the primary endpoints-- incidence of new basal or squamous cell

carcinoma of the skin. Selenium-treatment was, however, associated with

statistically significant reductions in several secundary endpoints: total

and lungcancer mortality, total cancer incidence, colorectal cancer and

prostate cancer incidence. Total cancer incidence was 42% lower in the

selenium group (p<.001). The consistencies of these associations over time,

between study clinics and for the leading cancer sites strongly suggest

that, for this cohort of patients, selenium-supplementation had substantial

health benefits.

CONCLUSIONS: Selenium does not show protective effects against non-melanoma

skin cancers.

However, results support the hypothesis that supplemental selenium can

reduce the incidence of, and mortality from, carcinomas of several sites.

This observation demands further evaluation in well controlled prevantion

trials. ( JB: According to a lecture of Richard Passwater this study shows

that taking selenium supplements reduces the risk of getting cancer with 42%

and the risk of dying from cancer with 52%. After 5 years selenium

supplementation there was a decreased risk getting lungcancer (39%) and a

decreased risk getting prostatecancer (69%)

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